In case you haven't noticed the list of Family Links in the right hand column, take a minute to check each one out. For instance, since the K-Kids Family Fun blog is meant to include antics of the whole family, I started another one called Simply Me in which to record my own daily random thoughts and another in which to tell family stories that will provide a heritage for our kids. Similarly, JW has a blog that records her travels, DL has one for her art efforts, and Cherie is a family friend who is 2/3 of the way through getting her MA degree while helping to take care of her lively nephews. Feel free to make use of the links provided and join us. Better yet, email me if you have any news of your own that I can add to the family blog. We'd love to hear from you.
Love,
M
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Remember the Mario Brothers?
Remember Nintendo, Luigi, and Mario? Remember coin boxes you bump with your head, smiling clouds you can jump on, and green pipes that transport you to other lands? Then go check out the moveable Mario Land mural elements that Jen and Danielle created, with Cherie's help, at Liam's house this week for his homecoming. They did a really good job and their efforts will be a great source of smiles and imaginative fun for both Liam and his sister. Kuddos!Sunday, May 17, 2009
Working In the Wee Hours
This is what Don did last night. After Mom headed off to bed around 9:30, he started making homemade bread for a church breakfast this morning. He wanted it to be as fresh as possible, and it was wonderful!Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
It's Simple
I just made a loan to someone in the Philippines using a website called Kiva (http://www.kiva.org/). J gave me a gift certificate that got me started with this endeavor a year ago and I still get excited to think that, with as little as $25, I’m actually able to help people who really need and appreciate it. If you have never heard of Kiva, please take a moment to check it out.
You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone of your choice across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan available for investment has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is doing.
The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back to keep or to reinvest. Their payments come in monthly – each investor getting a proportional amount. Once I’ve received $25 back, I like to reinvest in someone else so that the original money keeps on giving. The gift certificates also make more meaningful graduation and confirmation gifts. Please note that Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.
A few days ago I made a $25 loan through Kiva to an entrepreneur named Fe Manuel in the Philippines. She wants to sell bananas to supplement the family's farming income. The money I lent was from previous loans, like the one to silk weaver Boret Chea in Cambodia, paid back to me over the course of the last year. At the time, Kiva still needed another $125.00 from investors to complete their loan request of $250.00, but today I received
notice that the entire amount has been raised and the loan has been disbursed to Fe.
It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.
Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.
You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone of your choice across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan available for investment has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is doing.
The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back to keep or to reinvest. Their payments come in monthly – each investor getting a proportional amount. Once I’ve received $25 back, I like to reinvest in someone else so that the original money keeps on giving. The gift certificates also make more meaningful graduation and confirmation gifts. Please note that Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.
A few days ago I made a $25 loan through Kiva to an entrepreneur named Fe Manuel in the Philippines. She wants to sell bananas to supplement the family's farming income. The money I lent was from previous loans, like the one to silk weaver Boret Chea in Cambodia, paid back to me over the course of the last year. At the time, Kiva still needed another $125.00 from investors to complete their loan request of $250.00, but today I received
notice that the entire amount has been raised and the loan has been disbursed to Fe.It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.
Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Don't Forget Liam
Check out Cherie Rainwater's blog entry "Let Me Tell You a Story..." for a great story about Liam and his family at http://www.cherierainwater.blogspot.com/
By the way, the Pampered Chef opportunity runs through May 15, but if you want something in time for Mother's Day get your order in by April 30. Direct donations can also be made to the "Liam McNassar Fund" at any Washington Mutual Bank.
Most of all, keep the little guy in your prayers.
By the way, the Pampered Chef opportunity runs through May 15, but if you want something in time for Mother's Day get your order in by April 30. Direct donations can also be made to the "Liam McNassar Fund" at any Washington Mutual Bank.
Most of all, keep the little guy in your prayers.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
We have a new addition to our house: a new chair for Mom. She likes to sit in her room and read or say the rosary part of every day and, heretofor, has been using a nice little glider with a footstool that glides as well. As you can see in the photo above, however, the footstool has become a second side table because movement is harder and getting in and out of the chair with that in front of it was tricky. Lately, though, it has become more difficult for Mom to push herself to a standing position from the glider because it moves. So, yesterday, I found another chair for her at Staples. It is very secure and the padding is quite comfortable; I was persistent about trying that out in the store...alot...for a long time. Don and I both checked out regular furniture stores as well, but this was still the winner for comfort and for fitting Mom's short stature. She is quite tickled over the purchase, but Ellie feels quite suspicious of the new chair and is sure that the only redeeming feature is the box it came in.
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